How to Dry Out a Bike Seat

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Few things can ruin the cycling experience like a wet bike seat. It’s simply unpleasant! What’s more, if you use your bike to commute, you might be faced with arriving at your workplace with wet clothes. That’s not only uncomfortable but embarrassing, too.

Let’s look at how to dry out a bike seat, as well as tips and tricks for how to keep your bike seat dry.

Air drying a bike seat

It might seem obvious, but the best way to dry your bike seat is to just give it time and let it dry in the air. Put it in a well-ventilated area, but away from open windows if it’s rainy.

A bike with a wet seat locked to a bike rack — Air drying will work best if you have time and the rain has stopped. (© Chris Phan | Creative Commons)

Towel drying a bike seat

If you need your seat to dry as soon as possible, you can towel dry it. Using a thick, absorbent towel, apply pressure to the seat to absorb all the moisture, all the way down as deep as possible. Remember that your entire body weight will eventually be on the seat, which will cause it to release more moisture.

Using a hair dryer to dry a bike seat

You can also use a hair dryer to dry the seat faster. This works well if you’re at home, as long as you have access to an outlet. At the very least, you’ll get the outer layer of moisture.
Use the hairdryer on the hottest and highest setting. You may also want to use the hairdryer in combination with the towel method for faster, deeper drying.

How to keep your bike seat dry

What works even better than the methods above is keeping your seat dry in the first place. Here are a few tips and tricks to prevent this problem:

Store your bike under shelter: Even if you don’t have a garage or covered parking, look for space under awnings.
Cover your seat: You can use a plastic bag, shower cap, or even a bike seat cover to protect the seat from moisture.

Take your seat with you: Some bikes have the ability to easily remove the seat. Carry a bag big enough to fit it and take it along so you never have to deal with a wet seat again.

If you have to ride on a wet seat, try to put some kind of material between your bottom and the seat. Thick plastic is best, such as a Ziploc bag, as the water will probably absorb through any fabric and soak your clothes.

Do you ride in the rain often? Check out our post about gear for cycling in the rain, as well as our post about cycling in the rain with glasses if you happen to wear corrective glasses.